Conficted fraudster Schabir Shaik was released from Prison on 3 March 2009 on the grounds of Medical parole after serving only 2 years of his 15 year sentance.

Medical parole is regulated under the Correctional Services Act (Act 111 of 1998).
In terms of the law, medical parole is granted when a person is "in the final phase of a terminal disease or condition" to die a consolatory and dignified death.

Shaik's Medical parole is widely considered questionable at the least, as the medical evidence simply suggests that Shaik suffers from Hypertension.